Fuzzy images from my 350D.

Please see post below. Sorry - double entry.

I have no experience with that lens, but it's probably just as sharp as the kit lens or maybe a tad softer.

If the camera is beeping in sharp focus, there may be an issue with lens focus. Search the forum for "back front focus test". Mount her on a tripod, or just set it on a table and try it. That will eliminate any variation due to camera shake.

You can try stopping her down to f/8 or f/16. Lenses are softer wide open. Good luck!

Imola,

welcome to the forum

What KevC said. Read more about it in this thread: Sharper when stopped down. For us without the L lens

Also, 1/60 is by no means a fast shutter speed if you're using 50 mm focal length. The 'rule' of thumb would calculate 1/80 (50*1.6 crop factor) and suggest using 1/125 as starting point. (closest faster shutter speed). Try 1/250 to completely eliminate the possibility of motion blur.

Also, pay attention to where the camera really focused. I strongly suggest changing the focusing to using the center focus point only. I think you have to use the 'creative modes' (P,A,M,T) for that, because the 'green box mode' or auto modes only allow using all focus points.

Other than that, practice makes perfect

Best regards,
Andy

Welcome, I have to agree with what Andy and Kev said. Great advice

What are the parameters settings on your XT? Maybe try bumping up the settings for sharpness and contrast so you can skip post processing for the easier shots.

I mostly agree with what's been said so far. You need to do a focus test to make sure the camera's focusing properly. Use the one I linked to, camera on a tripod, either with a cable release or the timer, to elimintate one potential source of problems. That will tell you if the camera and lens are focusing correctly, which is step one.

Step two is technique. Practice.

Step three is getting used to digital. Most photos will require sharpening, that's normal. You can turn up the sharpening parameter in the 350D, which should help.

wrt the speed that you should be able to hand hold a lens, I don't multiply that by 1.6, but some do. The best thing to do is try it yourself, maybe at 50mm, from 1/10th to 1/200th, and see what point the images stop getting sharper.

Fuzzy images from my 350D.

I have a new 350D with Sigma 15-50 1:3.5-5.6 DC lense.
I have had 35mm SLR camera in the past but, this is my first digital SLR.
I cannot achieve consistantly sharp images. I use fully automatic and aperature priority modes with shutter speeds 1/125 or higher.
The image looks to be in focus in the view finder and the camera "beeps" to suggest that the image is in focus but, the resulting shot is often blurry like the sample attached. Even my best shots require the unsharp mask treatment in PSP.
I always use the JPG format.
I feel very frustrated when I see the good results the camera seems to produce in other peoples hands.
Any ideas please.
Cheers,
Nick.

PS Sorry for the double posting. Having trouble with Internet explorer too!

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Nick,

try to post questions only once.
It creates confusion as people will answer to both threads, which will result in some interesting contributions here, and some there.

Answers best go to this thread: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=94292

Best regards,
Andy

Can't see any example attached so cannot comment but even properly focused shots I have taken need running through photoshop to bring out the true sharpness in them compared to a point and shoot camera.

Will be able to say more when we see an example.

Nick,

if the answers you've got so far don't solve your problem, then post an example image with EXIF information here.

With something specific to analyze, our answers will be a lot more targeted and more helpful to you.

Also ... if the lens contributes to the problem (which could be the case, as it's not exactly a stellar performer), you might consider getting the 75$ Canon EF 50/1.8 prime lens. Apart from the less-than-optimal bokeh, it's a great little lens capable of astonishing images at a price that is hard to beat.

Best regards,
Andy

Are you choosing your AF point or are you letting the camera do that? You should always choose your AF point because if you let the camera do it (full auto and another setting) it will not likely choose the one you want to be on focus. The wood on the left side looks more in focus than the boy.

I only started getting good images when I went away from full auto and camera-selected AF points. Go into creative mode and the quality will go up!

This image was shot at 1/50 and f3.5. But, even so, it looks to me like you are focussed on the door frame rather than the subject.

What Nicky said.

Door frame looks nice and sharp.

Best regards,
Andy

The picture in this link supports the 'wrong AF point' theory IMO.

Best regards,
Andy

Looks like the camera decided on a focus point on the frame, that's why I set the focus point to the centre one by default.